Overseas scholars drawn to China’s scientific clout and funding

January 07, 2026 / 9:48 AM

A man walks past signage for the Qian Xuesen Library at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai

Sharjah24 - AFP: China has long sought to attract leading scientists from overseas, but researchers say the country’s institutions themselves are now a major draw, thanks to generous funding, rapid development, and rising international prestige.

From state incentives to institutional magnetism

Government-backed schemes such as the Thousand Talents Plan have offered fast-track recruitment and substantial grants to overseas experts in strategically important fields, as Beijing competes with Washington for technological leadership. However, academics said that China is increasingly attracting researchers even without direct state targeting, particularly early-career scholars.

Cutting-edge labs and rapid progress

“You hear about these amazing advanced labs and the government providing money for areas like AI and quantum research,” said Mejed Jebali, an artificial intelligence PhD candidate from Tunisia at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He described the scale and speed of China’s research development as “really amazing.”

Return of overseas scientists

Although no official data tracks foreign or returning scientists, AFP identified at least 20 prominent STEM researchers who moved to China in the past year. They include cancer specialist Feng Gensheng, who left a tenured post at the University of California for Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, and German medical scientist Roland Eils, now part-time at Shanghai’s Fudan University. According to Futao Huang of Hiroshima University, significantly more overseas scientists—especially those of Chinese origin—are returning compared with a decade ago.

Funding, Industry links and research impact

Academics cited access to China’s vast and fast-growing industries as a major attraction. Lingling Zhang, who joined the China Europe International Business School after 20 years in the US, said China offers more pragmatic, application-oriented research opportunities. Others noted that leading Chinese institutions now produce research that rivals—or even surpasses—that of top Western universities. An index by the journal Nature showed that four of the world’s top five research institutions in natural and health sciences in 2025 were Chinese.

Push factors from the United States

For Chinese-origin academics in the US, tighter research security rules, visa scrutiny, and political sensitivities have acted as push factors. A 2023 study found departures of China-born US-based scientists rose 75 percent following a 2018 policy targeting potential espionage.

Ongoing challenges and cultural differences

Despite the opportunities, challenges persist. Scholars cited concerns over academic freedom, geopolitical tensions, and limits on collaboration in sensitive fields. Others highlighted the need to adapt to an academic culture that places greater emphasis on personal relationships. Still, many agree that for young researchers seeking resources and rapid progress, moving to China has become an increasingly attractive option.